Earl Strickland vs Nick Varner, World 9-Ball Championship 1991 (FINALS)

[@damonjohnson8337]

2 of my very fav pool legends right here. Nick being the soft spoken one and Earl, well, not so much soft spoken lol. That 4/9 rack winning combo by Earl is legendary as well as his expression afterwards. These old matches are fun to revisit.

[@Brownie-tg3nu]

Earl was so good it’s scary!! There have been better all around players,but he is the best 9 ball player ever.

[@jaredhamilton6913]

Just pulled out my VIP seating pass autographed by Varner at this very match! Earl was something else to watch through the whole event. I'm in the pink jacket lol, but there were 3 pink jackets that day. The camera barely got me.

[@billysikes1374]

Announcer said, sometimes Earl can run a 9 ball rack in 3 minutes Lol, I've seen him break and run 2 racks in less than 3 minutes, Fact, THE 9 BALL GOAT

[@choward874]

That's really cool. I watched this the day it aired.

[@everythingbobbywolfe]

Ralphie sue-kay with hair!! Nick was a legend, but really only had a certain time that he excelled. Earl is by far the greatest 9 ball player to ever live. Fantastic all around player, but that greatest title belongs to the magician.

[@honeyforce996]

Whoever started Accu-Stats, or whoever had the foresight to record this stuff and archive it, deserves the highest position in the pool hall of fame, or to have a tournament named after them That shot at 26:00 is a real cool piece of history - it's something else being able to watch Strickland progress over 30-40 years. I'm not sure how many other times we get to see something like that, especially from the comfort of our couches for free.

[@Bluemax54]

This was an era, sit back and enjoy.

[@lesterweinheimer665]

When Earl was on there was nobody ever that could have defeated him at 9 ball. Thanks a lot Pat!

[@Tonarinotoro]

42:26 Earl says “Please don’t drop!”

[@leonardeubanks3445]

Holy hell !! Those pockets are gigantic.

[@choward874]

I would give anything to see Shane Van boening play earl today in his prime! To a race to 40!

[@markhamblin8195]

Not long enough... Shane would get torched

[@choward874]

@markhamblin8195 yeah you might be right.

[@robertharris7464]

When Earl made a kick combo on the money ball he walks around with a frown on his face when he should be smiling and jumping for joy!

[@chrisbryant1836]

26:00 LOOK AT THIS SHOT!!

[@coffmanlove2020]

Legendary

[@scottisitoro3953]

Great call...and Earl's intensity and pleasure at making it was great , too. I believe he knew he was going to pocket that 9....I'm envious but practicing hard.@@DA-xh3tw

[@2869may]

"I'm here to play pool and chew gum...." ~Nick Varner

[@scottisitoro3953]

In that order ?

[@2869may]

@@scottisitoro3953 simultaneously... ;)

[@scottisitoro3953]

@@2869may Good call !!! Keep pocketing, player !!!

[@gordonfarina938]

Earl the pearl best of them All.

[@gavinhadley7672]

..boy Earl can really chalk that cue

[@billysikes1374]

And talk, Lol, It's a shark move

[@scottisitoro3953]

He's always used old-school Blue Masters chalk.

[@thedevilinthecircuit1414]

Notice they put in a different referee. The ref during the semi-final with Varner made two terrible calls against Varner wherein no fouls were committed. The ref was out of position both times to clearly see any fouls.

[@benhill9257]

One question I have is in the 2nd game when Earl made the 3-ball but scratched getting position on the 4 why then was the 3-ball spotted and Nick had to make it again and get position for the 4-ball once it was down it should have stayed down that's not fair to Nick IMO

[@betlikeyourerich6904]

They aren't playing Texas Express Nine-Ball that you are used to seeing these days. It was most likely Rollout nine-ball or some variation between the rules.

[@billysikes1374]

The Pearl!!! I cant believe that guy did that lol Took a flash

[@midwestboyy6499]

Clapping after every shot. That is so annoying

[@billysikes1374]

Agreed, some of Nick's shots toward the end, I can see, but damn, every shot he made, crowd clapped, straight in shots

[@FullTiltRico]

Bill Incardona is as knowledgeable in the booth as they come. His partner this tournament tho, Kim Prince is way out of his league. Right down until after the match was over. When he said Nick Varner was simply (outmatched) by Earl proves he's just a stand in. In 1991 Nick Varner dominated the pool world like no other player has. Nick simply caught a hanger on that 2 ball down 7-8 racing to 9. Nick will make that 4 out of 5 easily on a tough table. That makes the match 8-8 with Varner breaking. BTW: I'm one of Earl's biggest fans since the early 1980's. But no one wanted to play Nick in 1991. Period.

[@anarchysocial6447]

Kim Davenport.. don’t think he knew the firepower of the flamethrower? Lol.. Earl however was unstoppable at this time

[@markhamblin8195]

​@@anarchysocial6447earls wasn't in his prime before this ....i was there and watched him play those high stakes money games in Houston..this isn't prime Earl..let that sink in

[@jandeband]

👍

[@rickeydenler4272]

Poor playing by both

[@dreamfilms]

What a jackass comment! Can you do any better? Put up or shut up!

[@330devans]

Yet it’s one of earls back to back world championships. Such poor playing😒

[@huuge3484]

Not worth the time